The night was gentle, distant, and serene.
Mo Zhi sat before her computer by the bedside, her expression solemn. Chen's declaration was incredibly inspiring.
She listened, her blood boiling, her fingers flying, eager to begin.
It felt as if the Integration Movement wasn't just taking the Rhodes Island Public Security Department, but Mo Zhi's 1.8 million Luanmen coins invested in property in Luanmen.
"Charge!"
"Drive these chaos creators out of Luanmen."
Mo Zhi thrust out her right hand, signaling the charge. Stages 5-7 and 5-8 were neither difficult, as there were no bosses, nor easy. She had only managed to pass them with two stars after nearly twenty minutes with her current setup.
The enemy's Frost Drones, combined with the A1 Drones of the Arts Master, were quite formidable, severely reducing attack speed and making the high-ground units with top-tier output almost impossible to sustain.
Among Mo Zhi's anti-air operators, only Amiya and Exusiai were well-developed; the others lacked resources for cultivation.
Her accumulation was still too little, and her hastily assembled lineup was incomplete.
She struggled against stages with heavy aerial pressure.
Fortunately, Mo Zhi wasn't aiming for Originium needed for three stars. Two stars were sufficient for someone like her who focused on the story.
"Obsessive viewers are in for a treat today, with two previously uncleared main story stages finally getting some attention."
Mo Zhi chuckled as she commented, inwardly relieved that she wasn't an obsessive herself.
Otherwise, she would have definitely spent the entire night on 5-7 and 5-8.
'You're so pure, so amazing, you make us obsessive viewers uncomfortable and want to argue about the plot.'
'Ahhh, seeing you not clear stages with full stars makes me feel like ants are crawling all over me.'
'Obsessive viewers, turn left to zC's live stream on Bilibili, he definitely clears every stage with full stars before moving on to the next.'
...
"It's not that I don't want to clear it, it's just that those drones are a bit annoying. Without strong anti-air operators, it's really hard to pass," Mo Zhi said, clicking on Stage 5-9. "Everyone, calm down, watch me employ the direct attention-shifting technique."
As the pre-stage cutscene began, the barrage of comments gradually quieted down.
In the game,
Chen, leading the Rhodes Island Public Security Department members, stormed into the building, but something felt off inside.
There were almost no signs of Integration Movement members in the lower floors.
Only from the sixth floor upwards did they encounter a few wandering units sporadically.
The wanderers posed little threat, but the presence of spectral figures among them sent shivers down the spines of the entire Public Security Department.
Even stranger, the Integration Movement's command center was inexplicably set up on the rooftop.
Chen was puzzled. Who was their commander, with such peculiar thinking to establish their command center in such a location?
She led the other Public Security Department members, gradually approaching, then splitting up via the rooftop fire escape.
Chen alone headed for the rooftop, while the others were tasked with securing the top floor.
The mission was clearly defined, with everyone fulfilling their roles.
In this battle, Chen had to give her all, and the presence of the Public Security Department members beside her would only hinder her performance.
As she spoke, Chen reached for another scabbard hanging at her waist, its hilt dark red and emanating a fierce aura.
The operation commenced.
Chen did not fail the trust of her Public Security Department colleagues; she alone broke through Mephisto's trap.
She looked coldly at the smirking Mephisto, spitting lightly, "Vulnerable!"
"So many compatriots, all defeated by you? I need to re-evaluate your strength, sir." While speaking of importance, Mephisto's face showed no hint of it.
It was more like a cat playing with a mouse, grinning at Chen.
"Enough," Chen interrupted him roughly.
"No, not enough. Faust, give her a surprise." Mephisto said with a playful expression. As soon as his words fell, an arrow tore through the night from the darkness.
*Swoosh!*
!!
Chen immediately became alert. She quickly turned her head and shouted a warning, "Top floor, get down!"
*Boom! Boom!*
Faust's crossbow bolts were immensely powerful. A corner of the rooftop was instantly blown away.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
Screams echoed everywhere, and many Public Security Department members were injured.
"Integration Movement sniper..." Chen gripped the sword at her waist tightly, her heart filled with shock.
Although she had taken precautions, she hadn't expected Faust's firepower to be so ferocious.
It was understandable,
Chen had not witnessed the scene of Faust shattering Nearl's shield with a single shot, nor did she know Faust's true strength.
"This won't save your life. You'll die before he hurts me." Chen wasted no more time. Catching the ringleader was key. Killing the commander before her would naturally leave Faust with no time to trouble others.
Mephisto, however, seemed unfazed.
He even had the leisure to discuss the Public Security Department's predicament with Chen, mentioning the insidious seeds buried within their ranks.
They had captured too many Infected individuals, and these Infected, driven by hatred or loathing, had turned to the Integration Movement, working from within and without to facilitate this current situation.
Chen remained unmoved. She knew the truth was not as Mephisto described, that not all Infected wholeheartedly sided with the Integration Movement.
No, the Integration Movement also had spies within the Public Security Department.
It was due to the sacrifices of these spies that Chen had the opportunity to reach the rooftop.
The image of Afa flashed in her mind, along with the unfamiliar faces of other spies. The hand holding her sword tightened its grip.
But, was it truly that easy to kill Mephisto?
As Chen advanced, strange dust suddenly filled the air, its source being the staff in Mephisto's hand.
"Roar~~!"
"Ah—!"
A corpse with pale gray skin, a dead expression, and Originium spikes growing from its back slowly approached, blocking Mephisto.
"The Originium on them... is growing visibly?"
Chen's expression froze. This was the first time she had encountered such a bizarre sight. Mephisto was truly sinister!
"They won't fall, because I heal all their pain," Mephisto said helpfully. "Wounds will mend, flesh will harden, and life will return."
These unfeeling, undead monsters blocked the Public Security Department members who were coming to reinforce them.
Chen was forced to face the two enemy commanders and countless Integration Movement monsters alone.
Every time she tried to advance, she was interrupted by Faust's crossbow bolts.
Or by monsters lunging at her.
All her efforts were futile. Beside her, Mephisto continued his psychological attack.
He was surprised to notice some dust clinging to Chen's body.
Could it be that...
Mo Zhi, watching from the sidelines, felt a chill run down her spine, an unthinkable thought surfacing.
However, before Mo Zhi could ponder it further.
Chen erupted!
"The Dragon-Slaying Sword shall drink blood!"
Whispering softly, Chen lowered her gaze. The crimson longsword was drawn, its blood-red glow dyeing the night sky of the rooftop like a blazing purgatory!
"Sir, I know what you are. My Originium arts only affect the Infected," Mephisto threatened.
"I don't care."
Chen drew the Chi Xiao out by half an inch. The surging sword energy swept away all the sniper's attacks.
Not enough!
Chen's hand still gripped the sword hilt tightly. A red glow condensed around her, and a powerful spell was slowly forming.
Even Faust had to move closer to Mephisto to protect him at this point.
!!"
"—Draw!"
Chen gritted her teeth, trying to fully draw the Chi Xiao, but the current Chen did not possess that strength.
*Zing!!*
A flash of red light appeared, and approaching monsters were cut in half.
The Chi Xiao lost control for an instant. Although it repelled the monsters and the incoming crossbow bolts, Chen herself was struck by the overflowing energy, breaking two ribs.
Mephisto, having learned from Talulah that Chen could not fully draw the sword, was therefore so confident.
Another wave of monsters slowly surrounded Chen. Mephisto wore a triumphant expression.
However,
At the critical moment.
The sound of a chainsaw descending from high above broke the silence of the night, a roaring shout like a ghost's lament causing everyone to momentarily lose their focus!
*Vroom—!!!*
...